Harry Potter director ‘doesn’t agree’ with JK Rowling’s trans views: ‘It’s very sad’
Chris Columbus said JK Rowling’s views are ‘very sad’. (Getty)
Chris Columbus said JK Rowling's views are 'very sad'. (Getty)
Harry Potter film director Chris Columbus has branded JK Rowling’s views on the transgender community “very sad” and “unfortunate”.
Columbus, who directed Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire before taking on the first two Harry Potter films, said: “I like to separate the artist from the art, I think that’s important to do. It’s unfortunate, what’s happened. I certainly don’t agree with what she’s talking about. It’s just sad, very sad.”
Rowling’s views have be well-documented since she began expressing “gender-critical” beliefs in 2019.
Production on a TV series based on Rowling’s stories began in July. Those associated with it have faced criticism over their association with the author, who is an executive producer of the show. John Lithgow, Nick Frost and Katherine Parkinson are among those set to be seen on screen.
Columbus has told Variety that he had no problem with the reboot because it would allow showrunners to more accurately adapt the books, but he has not been involved. “You saw my version, there’s nothing left for me to do in the world of Potter,” he said.
“The great thing about [the TV series] is that with the first, second and third books, we wanted to do it all. We wanted to bring all of that on to the screen, and we didn’t have the opportunity.”
In April, after news of his involvement brought criticism, 3rd Rock from the Sun star Lithgow said he didn’t understand why Rowling’s views were a “factor at all.“
Asked by The Times whether the backlash had given him doubts about joining the show, the actor, who will be 80 in October, said: “Oh heavens, no. Of course, it was a big decision because it’s probably the last major role I’ll play. It’s an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.”
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